A former Republican member of Congress and cabinet member under President Barack Obama came to Aurora this week to say that political compromise between Republicans and Democrats is needed to make things work in an increasingly combative climate in Washington.

Ray LaHood was Secretary of Transportation from 2009 until 2013 and before that represented Illinois' 18th District in Congress. He was in the city to take part in Aurora University's Town Square Series, which looked at the possibility of more bipartisan cooperation in the United States.

The event was moderated by the Chicago Tribune's chief political reporter Rick Pearson.

"During my time in Congress, we were able to do significant things in a bipartisan way compared to now," LaHood said. "Trump was elected a year ago and the only thing he crows about is Neil Gorsuch. Nothing has happened despite having a Republican majority. When Clinton was elected in '94, he and the speaker Newt Gingrich had great differences but together they got the legislation together and got things passed."

LaHood also noted the accomplishments of Ronald Reagan "who had friendships with people on both sides of the aisle" as well as George W. Bush, who passed legislation early in his presidency with No Child Left Behind.

Former Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross, executive director of the Institute for Collaboration at Aurora University, said the evening with LaHood was made possible thanks to a personal relationship between the two men.

"I've known Ray for years and just called him up and asked if he'd like to come," Cross explained.

Bipartisanship, Cross said, like all other matters, "is a complex issue."

"We need as a community and society to be educated on issues and have a conversation about them," he said. "The focus is to attack the issue, not the person in order to solve complex problems. I think Ray offers some perspective on this issue."

According to LaHood, the recent elections in Virginia and New Jersey show that people are looking for a change.

"Here in America, we tend to settle things at the ballot box, and the people of Virginia did," he said. "A year from now, there are going to be more changes as 435 members of the House of Representatives and a third of the U.S. Senate will be up for election."

Those who came to the event Wednesday night said LaHood brought credibility given he was a Republican congressman and a cabinet member of a Democratic president.

"I think Mr. LaHood offers a voice of wisdom for our students, and the fact he has worked representing both parties in some respects is a testament to speaking across party lines and the spirit of bipartisanship," said Matthew Dabros, who teaches political science at Aurora University.

"I think being bipartisan is more important than the party you belong to," added Ed Sweeney of Sugar Grove. "I feel more of the politicians today work towards staying in office rather than solving problems."

Quinlin Neuhaus, 12, of North Aurora, came with his father Kirk to the event.

"I'm interested in law and think politics is interesting," Quinlin said. "I feel people need to work together better or nothing is going to be completed. It's kind of like getting along on the playground — people need to be adults. This is a government that needs to get stuff done."